24 March 2017 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver presented the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017 to members of the Filipino-Canadian community on March 23, 2017.

Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer presented the evolution of ASEAN since its establishment in August 1967, with the Philippines as one of the founding members. Consul General Ferrer emphasized the growing importance of ASEAN as a model regional organization, with its success in espousing cooperation and promoting peace and security in the region. He also stressed the huge potential of ASEAN as Asia’s economic powerhouse by highlighting 2015 GDP figures at US$ 2.43 trillion, clocking in as the 7th largest in the world, and trade values at US$2.27 trillion (2015), making the regional organization a major economic player in the international community.

Consul General Ferrer further shared that the PH’s Chairmanship coincides with the 50th founding anniversary of the ASEAN, making our chairmanship more meaningful and significant. These milestones serve as an avenue for the organization to reflect on its achievements in the past five decades and to prepare itself for the new challenges faced by the region in the years to come. The presentation was followed by a three-minute video entitled “ASEAN 2017- Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” END